Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media (95-11-24)

From: Panayiotis Zaphiris <pzaphiri@Glue.umd.edu>

Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Directory

TURKISH PRESS

AND OTHER MEDIA

No.221/95 24.11.95

CONTENTS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Rasit says Clinton report on Cyprus 'Regrettable'

According to illegal Bayrak radio (23.11.95) the so-called Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister Atay Ahmet Rasit has alleged once again that if a just and lasting solution is to be reached in Cyprus, all the relevant circles should accept the political equality of the two communities.

Rasit issued a written statement in reaction to US President Bill Clinton's 16 November report on Cyprus.

Rasit was critical of President Clinton who in his report refers to Clerides as the President of Cyprus. Rasit said: "The policy implemented by the Greek Cypriot side recently is one of attaining EU membership by pretending to negotiate with the Turkish Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriot side wants to eliminate the principle of bizonality and undermine Turkey's effective guarantee by means of the EU membership". He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side is fulfilling its duties with regard to the efforts for a just and lasting solution.

[02] Denktash continues his intransigent stance

According to illegal Bayrak radio (8:00 hours, 24.11.95) the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash will be meeting today with the Turkish President Suleyman Demirel in Ankara.

Denktash had a meeting last night with Turkish Foreign Under Secretary Onur Oymen and State Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Munif Islamoglu. After the meeting Denktash said that the stage where the Cyprus problem reached both sides will experience strong pressure. However, he said the Turkish side will not go back further from the point it is today. Referring to the forthcoming visit of the US Presidential envoy Richard Beattie to Cyprus, Denktash said that in case Beattie succeeds in bringing together President Clerides and him, then the US Deputy Under Secretary Richard Holbrooke will visit the island as well. Denktash once more invited President Clerides for a face to face meeting.

In his turn the Turkish State Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs Islamoglu, repeated known Turkish views that the Cyprus problem was a Turkish nation's cause and it was impossible to lose this cause and leave the Turkish Cypriots alone. Islamoglu added that Turkey will not accept something rejected by Denktash on the Cyprus problem.

[03] Turkish Senior Military Officer threatens Greek Cypriots

According to VATAN (24.11.95) a senior Turkish Military Officer referring to Cyprus' attempt to strengthen its defense against the strong Turkish occupation forces has said that "no one should expect from Turkey to be a spectator and treat with tolerance those who are preparing war against the Turkish state and Turkish nation, and making threatening statements, following the development after signing a joint Defense Agreement between Greece and Greek Cypriots.

Cyprus as claimed by the Greek Cypriots is not and never was a Greek island. If the Greek Cypriots buy all the weapons of the world this island will never become a Greek island. The Turkish Cypriots' right over this island is more than that of the Greek Cypriots.

Turkish Armed Forces, as the legal guarantor of the TRNC will continue to defend the Turkish Cypriot community. We urge the Greek Cypriots to give up acting like a "Don Quixot" and come into an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots. They have no other choice." (MY)

[04] Kyrenia marina "privatized"

According to YENIDUZEN (24.11.95) the Marina at the occupied Kyrenia has been "privatized" by the occupation regime through renting.

The paper criticizes this action and says that, Timur Ulmen who rented the marina, earlier rented other installations and later on in turn rented them to other people. (MY)